Ukrainian Footballer Fighting for Russia Killed in Ukraine

February 16, 2026 Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor Health

Sergejus Petrovas, a former Ukrainian footballer who reportedly defected to Russia, has been killed fighting near Pokrovsk, Ukraine, according to reports from Ukrainian forces. The 26-year-old was reportedly killed during a Ukrainian assault operation on February 12th.

Petrovas was born on May 21, 1997, in Yevpatoriya, Crimea. He began his football career in Vladimir, playing for the BRV-VIK academy, before joining FC Volyn Lutsk. He progressed through the youth and reserve teams at Volyn, eventually making his debut in the Ukrainian Premier League.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Petrovas moved to occupied Crimea and subsequently enlisted in the Russian army, according to Russian media reports cited by Delfi. He officially joined Russian forces in the summer of 2025, being assigned to an assault unit.

Prior to joining the Russian military, Petrovas played for several Ukrainian clubs, including Volyn, Zirka Kropyvnytskyi, Lviv, Ruch, Metalist 1925, and Agrobiznes. He also earned one cap for the Ukraine under-21 national team.

The circumstances surrounding Petrovas’s decision to join the Russian military have drawn attention in Ukrainian media, framing him as a collaborator. His death highlights the involvement of individuals with Ukrainian backgrounds in the ongoing conflict fighting alongside Russian forces.

Separately, investigations have revealed connections between Russian capital and companies supplying security equipment to Lithuanian military and government institutions. A company called “Eurosafe LT”, which provided seifus to Lithuanian Special Operations Forces, is reportedly controlled by Russian businessmen who also supply equipment to Russia’s defense industry, according to reporting by “Siena” and “The Insider”. Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas stated he was unaware of the ownership structure of “Eurosafe LT” and pledged to assess the associated risks.

Another Lithuanian investigation, reported by LRT, uncovered a similar pattern involving the company “Eksortus”, which secured contracts with Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant for operate on nuclear waste storage facilities. The owner of “Eksortus” was initially presented as a Polish citizen, but investigations revealed he also holds Russian citizenship and maintains business ties in Russia.